Comparative Study

Mark Victor
Introduction
• In this study I will compare two art styles seen in the three different
pieces by two artists. Jason Anderson, a contemporary and Hong
Leung, a Chinese neo-impressionist artist, both famous for their
mastery of the landscape. I will analyze the effect of their cultural
upbringing on their art making style and the effectiveness of this style
and the formal elements of their work in fulfilling the function.
“Atrium” by Jason Anderson
Oil Colour
Anderson uses color to create
value creating an illusion of
3D form. The lighter colored
parts appear to be closer.
The manipulation of light
creates an effect of refraction
making the image a bit blurry.
There is use of a wide range
of colors in the color hue
creating a type of
commotion, emphasized by
the use of mostly hot colors,
busy environment.
“Twilight Mist” COMPOSITION

by Hong Leung • This composition has a significant

use of diagonal lines which
Watercolor
highlight the focal point which is at
the intersection of the two lines.
• Notice even the roofs of the shacks
are parallel to the diagonals.

There is an interesting balance of

positive and negative space. The
negative spaces appear to occupy
the parts demarcated by the lines of
intersection, creating more
emphasis on the focal point.

The scale of the large mountain and small

houses the picture notably the mountain
creates a harmonic balance between nature
and mankind. Where the buildings appear
protected by the mountain. A feeling of
serenity.
 LIGHT

This piece has a somewhat cold

atmosphere, the blue tinted
northern light creates almost a
frozen stillness. The light source
appears to be behind the
mountains, the light pierces through
the dark tone and is close to the
houses

The light source appears to be

behind the mountains, the light
pierces through the dark tone and is
close to the houses putting
emphasis on them.
 SPACE AND DEPTH

• The artist creates depth showing

the peace and stillness in addition
to the composition which is very
spacious a quietness is created.
• Here as mentioned earlier the
piece is done using intersecting
planes to create an illusion of
depth.
• By the use of an atmospheric
perspective, by making the
mountains much more out of focus
than the houses and their
reflection in the water, the depth
of the piece is emphasized.
 COLOUR

The use of analogous colors

creates harmony within the
piece.
There is also a good use of
contrast of temperature, hot
colors are used around the
houses while all around them
cool colors are used. This
contrast creates a coziness.
 FUNCTION AND PURPOSE
Anderson displays the city as apart from the water Leung shows the houses and
but also a reflection of the humans. As they have mankind as being one with
a direct effect on it. ” I also love the contrast of the nature and the water.
our relationship with nature, which is why I often There is a sort of stillness
end up including some element of humanity (e.g. that the artist conveys as a
a boat or skyline) — I want to remind people that result of this.
we are simply tenants on this beautiful planet.
Cultural Context
The impressionist movement
inspired Andersons impasto
painting style. It was a majorly
European style

However Andersons work shows a

transition from the small brushstrokes
of oil paint. The painting is inspired by
the tinted glass of church windows
which Anderson used to design.
Though he uses a more modern,
evolved style of painting, Hong
Leung still keeps some
significant elements of Chinese
art. Using watercolor helps bring
this out perfectly.
His landscape is comprised of
mountains and mist, which is
significant of ancient Chinese
artists. He also uses touches
of bright reds and thin,
detailed brushstrokes, known
as gong-bi.
 Cool colors on the periphery of the piece

COMPARISON symbolize the overall peace, despite the

two different relationships.
Light is similarly distributed in the two
paintings splitting through the middle.
Atrium Twilight Mist
While colors harmoniously blend in Twilight
Mist the colors in Atrium have a bit of
contrast.
All have a
composition created
by intersecting
planes.
Humans further in
“Atrium”.

There is a separate
but equal balance in
Atrium while in
Twilight Mist the
houses are within
the nature
Relating the function and purpose of the two pieces to
Culture

The three artworks largely reflect the environmental relationship of the

two cultures. The European view believes in mankind being stewards of
nature and living in balance. The Asian view believes in mankind being
subject to nature
REFERENCES
• https://twitter.com/csmark86/status/946109316255248384
• https://www.jasonandersonartist.co.uk/atrium